Hey everyone! Today you're going to learn what a real QISS starter kit needs on day one, and what can happily wait until you've quilted a few blocks. Here we go.
What is the QISS starter kit, in plain words?
It's the tools that let you quilt one block at a time, on your home machine, and join those blocks into a finished quilt later. No longarm needed. No free-motion needed.
QISS stands for Quilting Is Sew Simple. Pauline Rogers created the system at Pauline's Quilters World in Australia, with more than 30 years of quilting behind her. You quilt a small, steady block while it's small. Then you do the next one.
The Linda's kit pulls that starting point into one box: the Core 6 tools, plus 7 supporting products.
What do you need first? The Core 6
Start here. These 6 are the method itself.
- The Quilt As You Go Handbook. Your road map for the two joining methods, Between the Blocks and Back to Back.
- QAYG Quilting Templates Set F. Templates guide a real design straight onto your block. No marking pens. No free-motion. Feed dogs up.
- Feather Templates. Feathers in 3 sizes, with a digital Hints & Tips booklet. Feathers that repeat, block after block.
- Dot To Dot Curves and Grid System Booklet. Your planner for curves and grids, so a block has a plan before you stitch.
- Sasher Collection, Ultimate Set of 12. Sashers fold sashing, binding, flange, and bias strips to an exact width, straight off the iron. Your fingers stay back.
- QAYG Pieced Sashing Templates, 2 Inch Set. Pieced sashings with measurements worked out, so joins line up where they should.
That's the core. Handbook for the how. Templates for the quilting. Sashers and sashing templates for the joining.
What supports the Core 6?
The Complete Bundle adds 7 supporting products, and each one earns its spot.
First is the batting. The kit includes Hobbs Fusible Batting in queen size. QISS blocks start as a sandwich: backing wrong side up, double-sided fusible batting in the middle, top right side up, pressed with a hot, dry iron. Fusing medium on both sides holds all 3 layers as one steady block. We covered that press in Why Hobbs Double-Sided Fusible Batting Is the Heart of QISS.
Then the small helpers. A Sew Slip Mat. A Bohin mechanical chalk pencil in grey, plus a refill. Fork Pins, with 2 prongs and equal tension. Clear MonoPoly thread for stitching you want to disappear. And glue baste for a temporary hold.
None are fancy. All solve a real moment at the table.
What can wait until later?
Plenty, and that's good news.
You do not need every template set on day one. Set F will keep you busy through your first blocks. Add a set when you want a new design family.
You do not need every sashing width either. Start with the 2 inch set. A 2 inch finished sashing starts with fabric cut 4 inches wide, twice the finished width. Learn that one width well.
Special projects can wait too. Rugs, bowls, and woven strips are wonderful second steps. Get 4 blocks quilted with even stitches first.
And your machine is probably fine. QISS asks for presser-foot pressure adjustment, and an open-toe appliqué foot, not a free-motion foot. Check those 2 things first.
How should a beginner start with this kit?
- Read the handbook first. Just the joining overview. Learn where the blocks are headed.
- Build one sandwich. Backing, fusible batting, top. Press it slow and steady, and keep it flat while it cools.
- Quilt one block with Set F. One design. One block. Learn how the template feels under the foot.
- Try one feather. Pick the size that fits your block, and stitch it without rushing.
- Fold one sashing strip with a Sasher. Feel the fold come off the iron at an even width. Just like that.
Now hear me on this part. Your first block does not have to be perfect. You're your own worst critic, folks. Take your time. It's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Start with the Core 6 and the supporters that hold your sandwich together. Add the extras when a project asks for them. Completely up to you.
Thanks for learning along with us. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the QISS Complete Bundle Kit - Core 6 and Supporting Products at Linda's Electric Quilters.
For the batting at the heart of every block sandwich, see the Hobbs Heirloom 80/20 Fusible Batting Package at Linda's Electric Quilters.
Browse the whole line in our QISS — Quilting Is Sew Simple collection at Linda's Electric Quilters.
